A whole new galaxy:
Equity partnerships.
zwei.7 is an equity company of business owners for business owners.
We invest our money as stable, long-term capital. One of our values is that our goal is not simply to turn a quick profit, but to maintain a sustainable level of success. We achieve above-average growth in all the companies we invest in. And we can prove it.
zwei.7 is there when you
need to overcome the barriers
to growth. With capital, a wide-
ranging network,and decades
of professional expertise.
Family equity is stable financing
You have certainly received multiple offers from the big companies in your industry in recent years. Or from private equity companies. As the owner of a family business, however, you have the feeling that this somehow is not the right way to go.
Maybe you feel a lack of trust, and the assurance that your employees and your site will still have a bright future in the coming years. Why, then, should your take this major step, and sell the family business? Because we are a family business too. Because we can relate to your situation based on our own successful business experience. Because we invest for the long term, rather than keeping a quick selloff in the back of our minds. Because we keep and develop your current sites. Because we are a mid-size company, and we love being one – the same way you do.
Important things to know
The sale of a company rarely falls apart due to the price. Usually, it depends on you. More precisely, on your feelings, which get in your own way. On your fear of letting go. On those worries about this new stage in life and the future of your company with your successor. At some point, you may even begin to despise the entire selling process. The constant interrogation from the buyer, the emphasis on risk and never on opportunity. These consultants, with their buzzwords and acronyms that seem designed to exhaust you. All in all, it is critical to bear this in mind: Never underestimate the emotions that these life-changing decisions will unleash. A company sale along with managing the day-to-day business is a tremendous challenge, and it requires tremendous energy and effort.
Start dealing with the issue early. It requires time to develop new life goals, to work out this new phase of life with your family, and to lay the groundwork within the company. There is a reason German law provides tax advantages to people as early as their 55th birthday to pass their companies on. Talk with your tax advisor early on about the legal structures and arrangements that will make a sale of the business more advantageous. And come and talk with us. From business owner to business owner. As equals.
Some reasons
In addition to the classic age-related succession, there are other reasons that call for an orderly and successful handover of a business shaped over a lifetime:
- Like many business owners, an overwhelming portion of your wealth is connected to the value of your business. Now you would like to achieve financial security as well as to set aside a sufficient amount for yourself and your family, behind the proverbial firewall. If that means you would like to spend a few years with us to further develop your company with less risk and a lower share of ownership, so much the better: You benefit from our expertise in increasing firm value, without accepting all the risk.
- You see major strategic challenges ahead. You would like to hand over responsibility and pave the way for a new generation of shareholders and leaders.
- You are planning to reconcile differing interests or expectations among your circle of investors in an effort to give the enterprise long-term security and a clear path forward.
As a flexible family equity company, we can also develop individualized succession solutions to these challenging cases, in accordance with your own personal priorities.
Answers to your questions
Do we take over operational management of the company? Definitely not. We guide the firm, setting up an advisory board. Will you still have to stay on board for a while after the sale? Definitely yes. Maybe just for a few months, maybe a couple years. We promptly find a successor for the management. Internally or externally. Then we draft a plan for an orderly and methodical handover, during which we consider your interests to the maximum degree possible.
Do you have to sell 100% of your company to us? No. Only if you want to. If you would rather still stay on board for a while and light the fuse under the rocket of growth with us, holding on to a share of your company would be a major advantage. We could be discussing large numbers rather quickly. Talk with us about your plans. We’re flexible. After all, we are business owners – like you.
The rocket of growth
The launchpad for steep growth isn’t always in place, but if it is, then that company should buckle up. Our years of experience has shown us that the following criteria are crucial: strategically attractive markets, forecasts of long-term growth supported by relevant megatrends, an excellent market position (or the potential to achieve one), and differentiated brands. Alongside these market-driven parameters include the need for a strong company culture as well as a cohesive management team that is prepared to think entrepreneurially. With all this in place, even rapid growth can be planned. We understand something about this. After all, one of the many awards that Karsten Wulf’s previous firm, the buw Group, received was for the fastest growing enterprise in Europe. With an unbelievable 23,650% revenue growth – an almost 24-fold increase – in just four years.
Our (added) values
There is one major limiting factor for growth. Above all the others. In all industries, in all companies: Finding people and motivating them to take the path with you. And there is thus one major factor that is a great aid on this path: excellent personnel management. This is a great passion of ours. We find talented leaders, revenue generators for the operations, and affordable, knowledgeable staff for IT. And why is this so easy for us? Because zwei.7 itself was founded on recognizing expertise combined with experience. Because for years, buw, Karsten Wulf’s former group of companies, not only hired 3,000 new employees across all areas, but also became a role model for professional personnel development and employer image.
In other words, we support you throughout – in the areas of strategy, operations, financing, and digitalization. We are not your typical consultants. Our motto is “We help people help themselves.” We help craft the necessary structures today that you need for growth tomorrow.
Management Buy-out (MBO)
As experienced entrepreneurs who have started up and nurtured their own businesses to maturity, we understand the ambitious goals that management and the board of directors have, and we support this with a special passion. We help you not only with the purchase of the firm though steady capital, but also remain at your side to guide the company toward success and independence for the long term.
We assist in the establishment of an advisory board that will be ready to share a wide-ranging network, expansive knowledge of your industry, and new commercial relationships.
A buyout gives the management team the ability to gain a financial stake in the company and further develop it in partnership with zwei.7. In doing so, we will put together a solution that fits to your overall financial circumstances, that offers you an appropriate stake in the company, and that makes an attractive ROI possible. Obviously, we will also support you in discussions with the previous owner of the company. Here, you will benefit not only from our extensive experience with such transactions, but also from our deep understanding of business.
Management Buy-in (MBI)
Similarly, we also assist outstanding management teams to harness their years of experience in the industry to find and acquire a business that corresponds to their talents. If you wish, we are happy to take on discussions with shareholders and together develop a fair concept for share allocation. As a partner on your level, we have the same interests: together, our goal is to build structures that will withstand future challenges, leverage your strengths, and increase the value of the firm – together. At the same time, we make additional capital available for the purchase. In addition, we can bring in our own resources and knowhow to overcome the challenges that mid-size companies face, from implementing a digitalization strategy to dealing with employee recruitment and retention.
“Together with zwei.7, our investor, we are on track to set worldwide standards for medicine and long-term care. With this combination of entrepreneurial passion and significant expertise for sustainable business growth, together we’re bringing Lindera to the next level.”
Diana Heinrichs,
Founder, Lindera GmbH, Berlin
“For us, the entrepreneurial spirit, the values, and the high degree of professionalism from zwei.7 was the pivotal reason for our decision. Now, together, we’ve launched a growth-rocket for Rosental.”
Alexander Pelz,
Founder, Rosental Organics GmbH
“The extensive digitalization of nursing is a great passion of ours. This passion as well as the growth potential in this industry convinced zwei.7. As a business-savvy and agile partner, zwei.7 brought in strategy, HR expertise, and digital thinking, as well as financial capital. That in turn convinced me. Together with our partner, we are bringing Nui Care to the next stage of creating value.”
Markus Müller,
Co-Founder and CEO, Nui Care GmbH
“The approach – business owner to business owner, on the same level – convinced us to go with zwei.7. We are glad that Karsten Wulf has guided us our successful growth path as an investor and partner.”
Nils Schlieper, Martin Ratajski,
Founders, LevlUp GmbH
“We consciously decided for zwei.7 and family equity rather than private equity. We’ve found a genuine business owner as a sparring partner for our next challenges. And the passion for growth has been a catalyst for all of us!”
Tim Haug, Jakob Bergmeier and Moritz Kutschera,
Founders, enna Systems GmbH
Portfolio
Our Equity Partnerships
e-mobilio GmbH
e-mobilio, founded in Munich in 2019, develops software for a 360° e-mobility consulting service.
desk.ly GmbH
desk.ly, founded in Osnabrück in 2022, develops digital desk sharing and workplace experience software.
VisioLab GmbH
VisioLab, founded in Osnabrück in 2019, develops food recognition and self-checkout for more profitable food services.
Startup Insider
Startup Insider, founded in Berlin in 2019, is a content and investor network for the startup scene.
Increase Your Skills GmbH
IYS, founded in 2017 in Leipzig, offers a full-service-awareness-platform as well as consulting in the field of information security and data privacy.
Medipee GmbH
Medipee, founded in Moers in 2017, is revolutionizing the provision of health care by digitalizing urine analysis.
enna systems GmbH
enna, founded in Munich in 2020, makes it possible for elderly people who lack IT skills to stay networked with their families.
Plantura GmbH
Plantura, founded in Munich in 2017, uses Smart Data to make sustainable gardening available to everyone.
Lindera GmbH
Lindera, founded in Berlin in 2017, specializes in AI-based 3D motion analysis for health care, nursing, and athletic training purposes.
Sorare
Sorare, founded in Paris in 2018, is an innovative fantasy-soccer platform that offers limited-edition digital trading cards.
NUI Care GmbH
With NUI Care from Munich, zwei.7 has further expanded its equity portfolio. NUI Care, founded in 2018, is a digital assistant for families caring for elderly relatives.
Rosental Organics GmbH
Rosental, founded in 2018 in Mannheim, is a digital platform for natural cosmetics made from pure ingredients and under fair conditions.
Ossenberg GmbH
Ossenberg, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Rheine, is a manufacturer of crutches and canes for the DACH region.
Ella Paradies Inc.
Ella Paradies, founded in 2016, is a leading supplier of erotica and health care products in the USA.
Solvendi GmbH
Solvendi, founded in 2010 in Osnabrück, specializes in the execution of systematic commercial finance processes.
Upsprung GmbH
UpSprung, founded in 2018, is a leading leisure and entertainment provider in Osnabrück.
LevlUp GmbH
LevIUp, founded in 2018 in Göttingen, is a groundbreaking leader in energy drinks for gamers and e-sports competitors.
Radical Media Inc.
Radical Media, founded in 2010, is a major integrated creative-content agency based in New York City.
